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How to Become a Canadian Citizen

This brochure explains

• who can become a Canadian citizen;
• who cannot become a Canadian citizen;
• how you can apply to become a Canadian citizen; and
• other information you may need to know.

Who can become a Canadian citizen?

• You must be 18 years of age or older to apply to become a Canadian citizen.
• You must be a permanent resident.
• You must be in Canada legally as a permanent resident.

You must have lived here for at least three years.

You must have lived in Canada for at least three years out of the four years immediately preceding your application for citizenship. For example, if you applied for citizenship on June 1, 2004, we will count back to June 1, 2000. The time you lived in Canada AFTER you became a permanent resident counts as full time. The time you lived in Canada BEFORE you became a permanent resident counts as half time only if it falls within these four years. If you came to Canada on a visa (for example, a student or a work visa) before becoming a permanent resident, you should contact the CIC Call Centre to find out when you can apply for citizenship.

You must know English or French.

English and French are the official languages of Canada. You must know enough of either language to understand other people and for them to understand you. You need to be able to speak English or French well enough to communicate with people.

You must learn about Canada.

You must know the rights and responsibilities of Canadians, such as the right to vote. You must also know some things about Canada’s history and geography, and our political system. When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgment letter as well as a copy of our free publication, A Look at Canada. You will have to answer questions on the information in this publication when you go for your citizenship test.

Applying for children

If you are the parent of a child who is under 18 years of age, you may apply for your child’s citizenship as soon as the child receives permanent resident status. Children do not need to have lived in Canada for three years to become citizens. To apply for your child, you must already be a Canadian citizen yourself or you must be applying to become a citizen at the same time.

Children do not have to write the citizenship test.

Who cannot become a Canadian citizen?

You cannot become a Canadian citizen if

• you are in prison, on parole or on probation;
• in the past four years, you were in prison, on parole or on probation for a year or more;
• you were convicted of an indictable offence or crime, or an offence under the Citizenship Act in the three years preceding your application;
• you are currently charged with an indictable offence or crime, or an offence under the Citizenship Act;
• you are under a removal order and are not currently allowed to be in Canada;
• you are under investigation for a war crime or a crime against humanity; or
• your Canadian citizenship has been taken away (revoked) in the past five years.

The above list is a guide to prohibitions (that is, factors that could prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen). The application form contains questions on these prohibitions, and the Citizenship Act states that you must answer them truthfully when you apply for citizenship. We will check with the police to see if you have a criminal record that would prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen. We will also check immigration records to make sure that you are in Canada legally. If you think you may not qualify because you have been charged with a crime or you have a criminal record, or if you need more information on this subject, please contact the CIC Call Centre.

How can you apply to become a Canadian citizen?

To apply to become a Canadian citizen, you must follow the six steps below.

1. Make sure you have the right application form.

To apply for citizenship as an adult, you must complete the “Application for Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 5(1) – Adults” form. If you are applying for children, you need a separate form for each child. The child’s form is called “Application for Canadian Citizenship under Paragraph 5(2)(a) – Minors.”

You can order the forms you need through the Call Centre. Please be ready to tell us the name, age and date of permanent resident status for everyone you are applying for, your full address (including the postal code) and the number of adult and children’s forms you need.

You can also visit the CIC Web site at www.cic.gc.ca to download and print the application forms.

2. Read the guide Application for Canadian Citizenship before you fill out the form.

Please read the instructions contained in the guide carefully before completing the citizenship application form. The fee for processing your form and your children’s forms is not refundable, so make sure you are ready to become a citizen before applying.

3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.

The application form comes with instructions. Read the instructions, complete the form and attach photocopies of your documents. You may have to show the original documents at the time of your test, so remember to bring them with you.

These are the documents you need to include with your adult application:

• A photocopy of your Canadian immigration document called the Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or your permanent resident card.
• A photocopy of two pieces of identification, such as your driver’s licence or your health insurance card.
• Two colour or black-and-white photographs of yourself that were taken in the past year. The application form for citizenship comes with instructions on the type of photographs you need. Take these instructions to the photographer and tell the photographer that you want “citizenship photographs.” The photographs must be stamped on the back with the photographer’s name and address and the date the photographs were taken. You cannot wear a head covering when this photograph is taken unless you need to because of your religion. You must sign the bottom of the photographs on the white strip under the picture. Make sure you sign your usual signature. Check the application form for more important information about the photographs. Children who are 14 or older must also sign their photographs.
• A non-refundable processing fee and a refundable Right of Citizenship fee must be paid at the time of application. The fees can be paid at most financial institutions in Canada and the original receipt form (IMM 5401) must be submitted with the application. An original receipt form can be obtained by using the on-line order form on the CIC Web site or by contacting the Call Centre. You may also use CIC on-line services to pay the citizenship fees and to print an official receipt form.

If you are applying for a child, you must include a copy of a legal document (for example, the child’s birth certificate or legal adoption papers) that shows the names of the parents, or a passport listing the children. You will also need to submit the child’s immigration papers, two pieces of identification, photographs and the fee.

If your documents are not in English or French, you must provide the original document, a translation of it and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

4. Mail the form and documents to the Case Processing Centre.

After you have completed the application form, you must mail it in the pre-addressed envelope to:

Case Processing Centre
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, Nova Scotia  B1P 6V6

Remember to

• sign and date the form and sign your photographs;
• include the receipt of payment (form IMM 5401);
• include your application;
• include your photographs; and
• include photocopies of all your documents.

If you have printed the application form from the Web site, you will have to provide your own envelope to send the documents to the Case Processing Centre.

If you are applying for more than one person, you should submit all the forms and documents in the same envelope. You may also provide a receipt for the entire family.

5. Get ready for the test.

You will receive the publication A Look at Canada after we receive your application form. You should begin to study as soon as you receive it to prepare for your citizenship test. You may also want to go to a citizenship class if one is being held near you.

If you meet the basic requirements for citizenship and are between the ages of 18 and 54, you will be scheduled for the test. We will send you a “Notice to Appear for a Citizenship Test” telling you the date and time when you will be given your test. You may be given a written test or, in some circumstances, an interview. The citizenship test will determine if you can speak English or French well enough to become a Canadian citizen. It is also used to test your knowledge of Canada and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. If you are 55 or older, you do not have to write the test.

You may be scheduled to appear for an interview with a citizenship judge.

6. Take the oath of citizenship.

If you meet all the requirements to become a Canadian citizen, we will send you a “Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship” telling you when and where your citizenship ceremony will take place. At the ceremony, you may either swear on a holy book or affirm the “oath of citizenship.” Swearing accommodates those who wish to refer to their religious beliefs, while the affirmation is intended to accommodate those who do not wish to use a holy book during the ceremony. If you wish to swear the oath of citizenship on your holy book, please bring it with you to the ceremony.

Once you have taken the oath of citizenship at a ceremony, you will be a Canadian citizen. We will give you your certificate of citizenship at the ceremony. The certificate is a small card that you can use to prove that you are a Canadian citizen. We will also give you a commemorative document that shows the date when you became a Canadian. You should keep these documents in a safe place.

Other questions

We will send you notices in the mail for your citizenship test and the citizenship ceremony. If we do not hear from you after that, or if you do not appear for your citizenship test or ceremony, we will close your file. You will have to fill in another application form and pay the fee to go through the process again.

What should I do if I move after I apply for citizenship?

You can change your address on-line at www.cic.gc.ca or you can contact the Call Centre). When changing your address, be sure to tell us both your old address and your new one.

How much does it cost to become a Canadian citizen?

The fee for adults is $200. For children under 18, it is $100.

What if my application is turned down?

If you do not meet all the requirements for becoming a Canadian citizen, we will send you a letter and explain why you cannot become a citizen right now and what your next step should be.

Will I get my money back if I am turned down for citizenship?

Part of the fee for an adult application is for the right of citizenship. If you are not granted citizenship, we will send you a refund of $100.

A child cannot become a citizen unless one of the parents is already a citizen or becomes one. The child’s fee is not refundable. Before you apply for your child, make sure you are ready to become a citizen.

Where can I find more information about my citizenship application and processing time?

For more information about the status of your citizenship application or to find out how long it takes to become a Canadian citizen, visit the CIC Web site at www.cic.gc.ca or contact the CIC Call Centre.

Do children have to write a test?

No. Only people between the ages of 18 and 54 have to write the citizenship test. If you are 55 or older, you do not have to write the test. However, children who are 14 and older must take the oath of citizenship, and they will be invited to the citizenship ceremony.

Can I apply for a child if I am not the natural parent?

If you have adopted a child, you may apply for the child’s citizenship when you apply for yourself or any time after you become a citizen. If you are a legal guardian, the natural or adoptive parent must already be a Canadian citizen before you can apply for the child.

I am still a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?

Under Canadian law, a Canadian is allowed to be a citizen of another country as well. Some countries, however, will not let you keep their citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. The consulate or embassy of your country can let you know if this applies to you.

Could I be a Canadian citizen and not know it?

In general, if you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen. You are also a Canadian if you were born in another country after February 14, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth.

If you were born in another country after February 14, 1977, to a Canadian parent who was also born in another country to a Canadian parent, you may need to take steps to retain your citizenship. If you think this applies to you and you need more information, contact the Call Centre.

You may be a Canadian if you were born in another country before February 15, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth. If you think this applies to you and you need more information, contact the Call Centre.

Contact information

Web Site

You may obtain information on CIC’s programs and services by consulting the Department’s Web site at www.cic.gc.ca.

Call Centre

The CIC Call Centre has an automated voice response system that can provide you with answers to general citizenship questions 24 hours a day. By using the touch-tone features on your telephone, you can even order an application. If you wish to speak to an agent, contact the Call Centre during normal business hours across Canada (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time) and press “0.”

For all areas within Canada: 1 888 242-2100 (toll-free).

If you are hearing impaired and you use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service at 1 888 576-8502 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time.

Note: If you are calling from outside Canada, please contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate covering your region.

Citizenship Offices

If you need to know the address of a citizenship office, please contact the Call Centre.

Case Processing Centre

Case Processing Centre
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, Nova Scotia  B1P 6V6